Consequence Of Your Love For Me

Declaration Of Love

John Thornton still couldn't believe Margaret Hale was his. For this was the day they would marry and begin their life together. As Husband and wife. How it always should have been. John's Constance fell. Mr. and Mrs. Hale. They should have been here! How he wished they could have been here. Mr. Hale would have treated Margaret as a Princess, as all proud father's should they day their daughter's were to marry.

The day she stood before him at the train station, his life had changed for the better even if he felt lost. His business failing, Margaret had left him. When they were in the train, John had his arm around Margaret and she stared at the scenery. He had fallen asleep. With all the lack sleep, he remembered Margaret lightly caressing his cheek many minutes after he closed his eyes. His breathing was steady. She had never seen his face so at ease. John's eyes flew open slowly, scared that Margaret was another sweet illusion.

Margaret smiled at him. "You've had a terrible time in the recent months, Mr. Thornton."

John stared at her. She was here with him. It was all coming back to him. Margaret had offered him the opportunity to keep the mill open. But why would she do so if her opinion of him hasn't changed in the least? Why would she have kissed his hand if he still meant nothing to her? Margaret pressed her head to his shoulder. He scowled ever so slightly as he watched Margaret rest. How could he have acted in such a scandalous manner? How he wanted to been seen as a gentleman in her eyes! Margaret had let him act in such a behavior. He was positive it was her first act with the opposite sex.

Truth be told, John was in shock the first time he proposed Marriage and she rejected the very notion of him.

In a gentle Darkshire voice, which in Margaret couldn't wait to hear once more. She wanted him to ask her once more. While she was in London with her beloved Cousin Edith and her Aunt, at the night his voice played in her ears. The moment he had saved her from the inquest regarding the Leonard's case, she knew she had been in love with him for a while. Her heartache was hers and hers alone. Instead of trying to understand the man before her, understanding what he did the day she arrived in the Milton, all she did was judge him. He was right. There was not a gentleman in sight who had wanted to see a woman or child burned alive. She had finished growing up.

Margaret's eyes fluttered open suddenly. "Mr. Thornton. I believe I owe you an apology..." She began; fumbling over the words.

John leaned over her and lightly kissed her forehead. "Margaret..." He shook his head. "I forgave you a long time ago."

Margaret brought her eyes to look into his once more. "I would gladly take back everything I stated to you that day if I could. Surely, you must know that."

John signed ever so slightly. "John. Call me John, my love."

Margaret cast her eyes downward. She was overwhelmed with tenderness for this man. "John." She said. "I need to tell you something." Margaret took a small breath. "The gentleman you saw me at the train station that night..."

John was beaming. "Your brother?" He asked, wanting to surprise Margaret with the fact he knew.

Margaret nodded her head in shame. What he must have thought! John watched as her composure broke. In a soft whisper, he heard her say "I'm sorry." He could see the tears glistering in her eyes. "John, how did find out?" She inquired; her huge green eyes stared at him.

John touched her soft smooth skin, his blue eyes watching as she reviled in the simple caress. "Higgins. His daughter had told him about your brother visiting." It was his turn to bow his head in shame. "Margaret, forgive me. I have no defense-other than he was in your arms yet you wouldn't have me."

Margaret lean toward John and their lips met once again. "The moment you had said you had given me up, I realized how much I had come to respect you. Sometimes I wished you knew about Fred. But father didn't want you to choose between your friendship and you being a magistrate. I didn't want you to suffer. Your duty was to the crown." Margaret fumbled with her fingers, petrified to look at him. After a couple of minutes, Margaret moved her hands and touched his arm. "John, I'm so sorry I didn't confide in you."

John grabbed her by her shoulders. His hands moving up to her cheeks, very much how he had kissed her early in the day. "You don't owe me any apologies. I had not earned your trust. Margaret. If, by any chance, you had told me; I would have helped you keep your brother a secret. You would not have been out at night all on your own." He stated right before he moved his head down and he kissed her once more. "If there is any hope for your brother, I will inquire after it."

Margaret couldn't believe what she had just heard from his very lips. He would help her still. She didn't waste a moment. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, feeling the heat of his skin. Very much like she did the day of the riot. Only this time John didn't try to move her hands away from his hard frame. "When your sister married", She started to say and John felt her tense up in his arms. Surely this was some dream. She had come for him. "I was well aware of my feelings for you. When I saw Ms. Latimer's arm slipped into yours, I was so hurt and jealous. But I had no-one but myself to blame. John," Margaret said softly as she removed her arms slowly. "You are a gentleman in all ways it matters. Even if you are not dressed properly" She teased him, looking over the lack of his cravet and jacket. "It doesn't matter. For you are and will always be a gentleman in my eyes."

John wrapped his arms around Margaret and brought her close to his hard frame. "I never thought you would be jealous if I had asked Ms. Latimer to accompany me to my sister's wedding. My love," He went on to saying in a gentle voice. "I am so sorry I hurt you. I love you, Margaret Hale. The truth of the matter is I never stopped loving you even while I told you I did. So there is the only thing we can do..." All the trials he was put through years ago lead to this point. His father commiting suicide. Working as a draper's boy. But now he had the love of a beautiful woman. How did he find such a love as this?

John signed. Margaret heard him intently; a smile on her lips. "Marry me. Allow me to hold and love you for the rest of our days. I am not worthy of you. I had known it since we've met. Margaret," He said trepidation was heard in his voice. "Indeed, I am a man who failed in business. But, I would be wealthy if I just had you."

Margaret reached out caressed the back of John's head. "John," She said. "You have not failed. Yes, there were many troubles since the strike. But you've kept your head. Im glad you didn't join in with the speculation. Your a man of honour. You should be proud." She grew brave and touched the heated fabric over his heart as he continued to hold her. His eyes were closed, not that Margaret needed to see. She could feel his steady heartbeat. Margaret was certain John would never go one day without hearing how much she loved him.

John pulled away from her when he didn't hear a reply about his second proposal of marriage. Margaret brought both her hands to John's face and held him. "I only have one response to your proposal, sir." John waited; Margaret could see the fear building in his eyes. Oh what had she done! When he laid his heart out for her to take she should have explained she didn't have any tender feelings for him and let him down easily. What she wouldn't give to go back to the days. Instead she had hurt him. She could see the anguish. This time, it intensified. For she love him. "My answer is yes. Yes, John Thornton." Margaret said, her eyes glistening with tears. "I would be proud to be your wife and bare your children". John smiled and brought one of Margaret's hands to his lips.